Patton Makes an Official Arrival

It took longer than expected, but WR Quinton Patton arrived at the 49ers facility and made a strong first impression.

Immediately after he was drafted in the fourth round by the 49ers, wide receiver Quinton Patton couldn't wait to get out to San Francisco.

He purchased his plane ticket and arrived at San Francisco International Airport just two days after being selected. There was only one small problem - rookies only have a 24-hour window after being drafted to come to their new team's facility.

After head coach Jim Harbaugh informed his new receiver that he was in violation of NFL rules, Patton checked in to the hotel for the night and flew back to Nashville to next day.

"I just thought once you got drafted you could come out here and get to work any time," Patton said.

Patton's second trip to visit his new team didn't go much better.

The first-team All-WAC receiver was scheduled to be on a 7 a.m. flight on Thursday in order to report before the start of this weekend's rookie minicamp. Not able to find his driver's license, Patton began to frantically search through all of his luggage.

"I almost missed my flight and I was like, 'Man, I tried to come out here early last time and now I can't even get out there this time,’" Patton said.

Luckily, Patton found his ID buried at the bottom of his luggage in a pair of pants.

The near catastrophe was avoided.

The Louisiana Tech receiver missed his initial flight, but was able to rebook and finally arrived at the 49ers facility at 4 p.m. on Thursday, nine days and three flights later than he originally expected.

"I knew I was going to get out here sooner or later," Patton said with a sense of relief.

Patton and the rest of the rookies got to work on the 49ers practice fields on Friday morning, something Patton had been itching to do for quite some time.

"I got a little tired because you can prepare and train all you can, but once you get out here, there's still going to be a little twist that they throw in," Patton told the media. "You're going to be a little tired. We still got one to go."

During the afternoon practice, Patton stood out in one-on-one drills against cornerbacks and displayed quickness as a kick returner.

Patton's excitement about arriving at the 49ers facility only enhances his strong play during the opening day.

"He just said he just wanted to get started," Harbaugh said. "So, here he is starting and take (his) first step. A journey of a thousand steps starts with the first step. So, that’s where we’re at right now.”